Cognitive enhancement interventions aimed at boosting human fluid intelligence (gf) have targeted executive functions (EFs), such as updating, inhibition, and switching, in the context of transfer-inducing cognitive training. However, even though the link between EFs and gf has been demonstrated at the psychometric level, their neurofunctional overlap has not been quantitatively investigated. Identifying whether and how EFs and gf might share neural activation patterns could provide important insights into the overall hierarchical organization of human higher-order cognition, as well as suggest specific targets for interventions aimed at maximizing cognitive transfer. We present the results of a quantitative meta-analysis of the available fMRI and PET literature on EFs and gf in humans, showing the similarity between gf and (i) the overall global EF network, as well as (ii) specific maps for updating, switching, and inhibition. Results highlight a higher degree of similarity between gf and updating (80% overlap) compared with gf and inhibition (34%), and gf and switching (17%). Moreover, three brain regions activated for both gf and each of the three EFs also were identified, located in the left middle frontal gyrus, left inferior parietal lobule, and anterior cingulate cortex. Finally, resting-state functional connectivity analysis on two independent fMRI datasets showed the preferential behavioural correlation and anatomical overlap between updating and gf. These findings confirm a close link between gf and EFs, with implications for brain stimulation and cognitive training interventions.

旨在提高人类流体智力（g f）的认知增强干预措施在转移诱导认知训练的背景下以执行功能（EF）为目标，例如更新、抑制和转换。然而，尽管 EF 和 g f之间的联系已在心理测量层面得到证实，但它们的神经功能重叠尚未得到定量研究。确定 EF 和 g f是否以及如何共享神经激活模式可以为人类高阶认知的整体层次结构提供重要的见解，并为旨在最大化认知迁移的干预措施提出具体目标。我们提出了对人类EF 和 g f的现有 fMRI 和 PET 文献进行定量荟萃分析的结果，显示了 g f和 (i) 整体全球 EF 网络以及 (ii) 特定图谱之间的相似性更新、切换和抑制。结果强调，与 g f和抑制 (34%)、g f和切换 (17%)相比，g f 和更新 (80% 重叠)之间有更高程度的相似性。此外，还确定了 g f和三个 EF 中的每一个都被激活的三个大脑区域，位于左侧额中回、左侧顶下小叶和前扣带皮层。最后，对两个独立功能磁共振成像数据集的静息态功能连接分析显示了更新和 g f之间的优先行为相关性和解剖学重叠。这些发现证实了 g f和 EF之间的密切联系，对大脑刺激和认知训练干预具有影响。